Usually described as one of the most important months of the season, December can make or break a side’s campaign. And as the Crystal Palace team of 1960/61 found out, an unbeaten December can even lead to promotion.
Palace came into December 1960 in a strong position, at the top of Division Four with a two-point lead. The six games that month started with a 0-0 draw at home against Crewe Alexandra. Palace were given a chance to win the game with a penalty, but Roy Summersby missed the effort.
A period of three consecutive away games then started well for the Glaziers with a 2-0 win against promotion-chasers York City as George Petchey and Ron Heckman both found themselves on the scoresheet.